Acquisition system for obtaining sharp barcode images despite motion

Abstract

A system for barcode acquisition having a camera with a flutter shutter. The flutter shutter may operate according to a pattern or code designed to accommodate parameters such as distance between the camera and a barcode, barcode type, velocity between the camera and the barcode, blur estimation base on barcode features, and other factors. The image from the camera may be de-blurred or decoded in accordance with the flutter shutter pattern or code. Several images may be captured for patterns or codes based on different parameters. These images may be de-blurred and the highest quality image may be selected according to barcode landmarks.

1 . A method for barcode acquisition, comprising:
 acquiring a coded blur image of a barcode;   estimating blur of the image; and   de-blurring the image of the barcode.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising decoding the de-burred image of the barcode. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coded blur image is acquired with a multiple exposure, single image acquisition mechanism 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coded blur image is acquired with a video mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising synthesizing the coded blur image from a video of the video mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the blur image is coded with coding sequences of a two step approach; and   the two step approach comprises:
 determining a number and duration of open shutter periods using an observation; and 
 determining an arrangement of the open shutter periods in the flutter pattern. 
   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coding sequences are effected to preserve barcode-relevant spatial frequencies. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the estimating blur is effected with barcode features. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the estimating blur is effected with barcode image statistics. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the estimating blur is effected using hardware cues. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein hardware cues comprise an internal monitoring unit, projected aiming light, and/or other components. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein de-blurring comprises:
 using a range of blur widths; and   choosing the best image.   
   
   
       13 . A system for barcode acquisition, comprising:
 a mechanism for acquiring a coded blur barcode image; and   a mechanism for estimating blur of the image;   a mechanism for de-blurring the image; and   a mechanism for decoding the de-blurred image.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanism for acquiring the coded blur image comprises a multiple exposure, single image acquisition device. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the mechanism for acquiring a coded blur barcode image is a video device; and   the coded blur barcode image is synthesized from a video.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the blur image is coded with coding sequences of a two step approach; and   the two step approach comprises:
 determining a number and duration of open shutter periods using an observation; and 
 determining an arrangement of the open shutter periods in the flutter pattern; and 
   the coding sequences are effected to preserve barcode-relevant spatial frequencies.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the estimating blur is effected with barcode features. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the estimating blur is effected with barcode image statistics. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the estimating blur is effected using hardware cues; and   the hardware cues comprise an internal monitoring unit, projected aiming light, and/or other components.   
   
   
       20 . An acquisition system for obtaining sharp barcode images despite motion, comprising:
 a camera for acquiring a coded blur image of a barcode;   an estimator for estimating blur of the image;   a device for de-blurring the image; and   a decoder for decoding the de-blurred image of the barcode; and   wherein the blurred image is coded with sequences determined by a number and duration of open shutter periods using an observation, and by an arrangement of the open shutter periods in the flutter pattern.